The Phoenix Coyotes were the only Pacific division team left off of the list. Do you blame Heatley for leaving them off?

To nobody’s surprise, there are no teams within Northeast division, confirming the reluctance to trade within the same division as the Senators.

Heatley grew up in nearby Calgary.

All 3 teams from California are included, even Los Angeles. So much for Heatley only accepting a trade to a competitor.

To cancel out the Kings non competitive factor, Heatley threw in the new Stanley Cup champs, even though there is almost no chance Pittsburgh makes an offer for him.

At this point, the front runner are the Los Angeles Kings. As mentioned in my previous article, they are more than willing to take on a big contract and finally compete in the tough Pacific division. Reports suggest that the Kings are set to offer Jack Johnson, Alexander Frolov, the fifth and 96th overall picks in the 2009 draft.

That is more than a fair package for Heatley. The Senators are able to strengthen their defensive core (which desperately needs improving) and get a 30 goal scorer. Granted, Frolov is no replacement to Heatley’s 50 goals, but teamed up with Jason Spezza, Frolov can potentially reach the 35-40 goal mark.

Most importantly, the Senators get a top five pick in this year’s draft, which is very top heavy. They could potentially get their pick of Evander Kane, Magnus Svensson Pajaarvi, or Brayden Schenn, who would help solidify a mediocre farm system.

The second best rumored offer is from the San Jose Sharks, who are willing to part with Milan Michalek, Marc Edouard Vlasic, and Riley Armstrong. This is a nice deal for the Senators.

Michalek is a proven goal scorer and is still only 24 and is entering his prime. Vlasic could be the key piece of this deal, based on Ottawa’s need for defense. Vlasic is a proven NHL defenseman with a big body and can also quarterback the powerplay.

However, adding Heatley’s contract to Thornton, Marleau, Nabokov, Boyle and potentially Blake is difficult to envision. Heck, even Cheechoo is making $3.5 million, which is a contract that will be difficult to move and will definitely hinder the prospect of Heatley joining the Sharks.

General Manager, Doug Wilson will need to get creative in moving around some numbers, but if he is able to clear up around $8 million and still carry a full squad of professional players, this would be a deal that would put the Sharks over the top. Then again, this has been said with the acquisitions of Boyle and Blake, and the Sharks still managed to disappoint.

Realistically, one big contract has to go. Since Cheechoo is a deal-breaker in any proposed trade, Marleau seems to be the odd man out.

One team that will not make a pitch for Heatley’s services is Brian Burke and the Toronto Maple Leafs. Earlier today, Burke revealed that he does not respect when players want to play elsewhere, especially when they are under contract.

Not a huge surprise. Burke is able to vent here because he knows he has not chance of getting Heatley. One, the Senators and Leafs are division rivals. Two, the Leafs do not have the pieces to obtain Heatley.

This was just another way to remind the hockey world what Burke’s voice sounded like.